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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Anne Berit Petersen, MPH, MS, RN¹, Kristen R. Myers, BA¹, Edward Nathan, MBBS, MPH¹, Lana S. Kanacki, MS, RN¹, Leslie Francis, MPH¹, Di P. Lam, MPH, RD², Frances Jones, MPH¹, Patti Herring, PhD, RN³, and Susanne Montgomery, PhD, MPH, MS⁴. (1) School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion & Education, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, 909-796-2735, abpetersen@llu.edu, (2) West Los Angeles Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Healthcare Organization, 5105 W. Goldleaf Circle, Los Angeles, CA 90056, (3) School of Public Health, Dept. Health Promotion & Ed, Loma Linda University, Nichol Hall, Loma Linda, CA 92350, (4) Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Nichol Hall Room 1511, Loma Linda, CA 92354

HIV/AIDS has become one of the more debilitating chronic diseases. The fastest growing numbers of those affected are women; many of whom are also parents. Living with chronic illness and the accompanying stigma threatens the entire family unit. Programs have considered the impact of HIV/AIDS on activities of daily living and quality of life, but few have addressed its impact on the children and the parents' freedom to acknowledge parenting-related needs. To address these issues a targeted needs assessment was conducted among HIV positive parents living in transitional housing in the city of San Bernardino in Southern California. Approximately eight families and 24 children were involved. Ethnographic observations, a literature review, 14 key informant interviews, and one confirmatory focus group were conducted. Theoretical sampling methods and a theory-based key informant outline were used to guide semi-structured interviews. Grounded theory methods were used to analyze the resulting transcripts. Data suggested that primary concerns among this population paralleled common household issues such as: finances, nutrition, neighborhood violence, resource accessibility, and effective discipline methods. However, parents consistently hesitated to directly communicate personal parenting-related needs and reported negative associations with “parenting classes”. Past negative experiences with the “system” had left parents feeling vulnerable to being judged as “unfit” parents. A pilot program that addressed these themes, utilizing a discussion group format, was developed, implemented and evaluated. Overall, program participants reported that useful knowledge was gained, and that the discussion format was empowering. Future recommendations address program budgeting, sustainability, and improved evaluation methods.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, participants will be able to

• Articulate 3 of the unique challenges inherent to identifying parenting-related needs of families living with HIV/AIDS.;
• Describe 5 programmatic approaches indicated for parents living with HIV/AIDS.; and
• Discuss why focusing on the entire family unit versus the individual parent can increase effectiveness when working with families impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Vulnerable Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation